Vác (by River Danube)

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A small, charming town by the River Danube with fairs and wine stalls, it has a stone gate arch which is the only one in the country and was erected for the visit of Maria Theresa of Austria and lots of other interesting historical monuments. It is located 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of the capital. The town is seated at the foot of the Naszály Mountain.

Settlement in Vác dating as far back as the Roman Empire has been found.

Bishops from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Vác were influential within the Kingdom of Hungary.

On 17 March 1241, due to the attack of Mongols the whole population was slaughtered, Vác ceased to exist and Mongols set up camp there. After the departure of the Mongols Vác was rebuilt and inhabited by German colonists.

The town was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1541. During the Habsburg Monarchy's wars against the Ottomans, the Austrians won victories against the Turks at Vác in 1597 and in 1684.

During the Hungarian Revolution and War of Independence of 1848-49 the Honvédség routed the Austrian forces stationed in the city after a major battle (April 10, 1849); the Second Battle of Vác ended in Russian victory (July 17).

During WW2 Vác was captured on 8 December 1944 by Soviet troops of the 2 nd Ukranian Front in the course of the Budapest Offensive.

We are organising private tours by the River Danube from Budapest, crossing by ferry, if interested see details on the link: